Dear Billie Jean,
I can’t imagine what it’s like for you. My mom used to suffer from neuropathy due to diabetes. It was miserable. As a massage practitioner, I’ve worked with people who had the kind of lymph swelling you describe. It’s such a painful thing.

Sending hugs,
Theresa

Posted on January 20, 2010 at 7:15:06 AM by Theresa

Billie Jean, I am sorry to hear you have lymphedema. I hear it is very painful. It sounds like you caught it early, and hopefully with treatment you can manage it. I think you have a job where you stand all day, that probably makes it worse. Pamper your leg as much as you can. Don’t cut it, get insect bites or sunburn. It will aggravate it. Thank God it isn’t a recurrence. I guess we just have to learn to live with some “issues” after cancer.

Congratulations on your two-year cancer-free anniversary! Go do something fun!

The radiation left me with an insufficiency fracture to my sacrum. I had quite a scare a few months ago. I had a CT scan that showed an abnormal lesion in my right sacral area. Then I had a bone scan, and an MRI, and they finally determined it was a microfracture to my sacrum. I know exactly when I hurt it, during exercise. It was never really that painful, and all pain went away in about a month. The waiting and worrying about this tests is enough to make you crazy!

Take care, Amy

Hey Billie Jean,

I’m so sorry to hear about your side effects, but thrilled to hear about your two year anniversary.

Hopefully your neuropathy will subside with time.

As for the lymphedema, listen to your body and take good care of yourself.

Some of these things we have to deal with in our fight for life sucks, but we’re here, and we’re fighting them.

And that’s a heck of a lot better than the alternative.

I wish you strength and continued healing.

Jill

Posted on January 22, 2010 at 10:32:48 PM by Jill

Hi Billie Jean,

I noticed you blog while reading another cervical cancer blog. Well let me tell you about the lymphema. Wouldn’t it been nice if one of your many doctors had informed you of the possibility of this occuring? I have right leg lympedema and wear a 30-40 Jobs compression stocking. Not one of my, lets see 10 doctors, even remotely suggested that this could happen and that it could be prevented, or at least minimized the damage, if proper pro-active measures were taken at the first signs of swelling. Matter of fact, none of the doctors even had a clue of what was happening and thought I had a meniscus tear of some sorts..,..its been since June 2006. I just deal with it. The lymph drainage thing didn’t work for me, but a trampoline does. A eastern medicine doctor told me the trampoline, and it works. Jumping on it (its small) forces the lymph fluid back up…. God Bless you and take care
Sharon

My doc did some bloodwork about 8 months ago and found that my B12 and Vitamin D levels were low. He put me on a Rx B12 supplement called Metanx. When I looked it up online, I found that it is often used to treat neuropathy in people with diabetes. I have to pay for it out of pocket ~$30 per month, but its worth it—my B12 levels are back up and it really made me feel better. I did not have your symptoms, but now, most likely facing chemo and this as a possible side effect, I’m going to keep taking it! Also, I am using a liquid form of Vitamin D to get my levels back to the normal range – high dose now and then will reduce when levels come up. I am very focused on taking my vitamins and eating well to try to get ready for whatever is coming. take care, Colleen

Posted on March 19, 2010 at 7:35:06 PM by Colleen

Hi Billie Jean. I clicked on your blog because it said you were from Missouri. Kinda of nice seeing somebody in the home state. I had (yes had)cancer of the tonsils. If you want the details you can read my blogs. Anyway, I hate hearing what the monster has done to you. I come on here to support people because people supported me and it did make me feel good. My spell with the monster is or was no where near what you are experiencing. I am commenting because of your pics you have posted. Kids are so wonderful. Just their meer presence can make us forget everything. Especially when they smile. My girls are grown up and I enjoy them very much. Lately little ones have seem to make me smile alot more. I find smiling is contagious and makes me forget some of the stuff going on. I really like the pic of the boy with the fish. I am really jealous. That’s a monster. Do you think he will tell me his secret to catching them? You have my support and I hope you and your family have a wonderful Easter. Sincerely Bill

Posted on April 3, 2010 at 4:40:46 PM by Bill

Happy Birthday Billie Jean!

Hugs and Smiles,
Sara

Posted on November 7, 2011 at 5:41:24 PM by Ron Siemientkowski

Something’s not right…..she wouldn’t leave us haanging and to worry about her like this…She post updates on herself regularly.

Cherl—-if you read this let us know what is going on baby! Miss ya!

Posted on September 20, 2009 at 12:29:41 PM by Billie Jean

Your right Billie Jean. . . it’s been two weeks since her last post. I watch for her daily. . . and am missing her too.

Thoughts and prayers to Cheryl, hoping she can give us an update soon; and to the rest of you too, hanging in there with you,

-Kathy

Posted on September 20, 2009 at 3:06:31 PM by Private User

billie jean..
fyi…last weekend, i received a follow-up blog reponse from cheryl
dennismcgn

Posted on September 20, 2009 at 4:47:59 PM by Dennis

I’m here I’m here! Wish you guys wouldn’t worry about me. Mostly I’m too tired to blog and it’s quite an effort with my chemo brain. Just so you guys know either my son or girlfriend will post when I make my transition home.

I have had no energy to speak of. I had a little energy spurt for about three days a few weeks ago and then crashed. And now I’m getting migraines, yesterday and today which is not like me. Also feel like my jaw is tightening. So I have been sleeping round the clock pretty much incapacitated. Not eating or drinking fluids until Sean or Nelson get home to take care of me. I’m going to oncology tomorrow for support group but my priority will be to see my doctor. I want to get a scan. It’s been 4 months since my last one and I fear the cancer is in my brain. I just need to know for sure. So I will get that scheduled (if insurance will pay).

Hugs to you all, Cheryl

Posted on September 20, 2009 at 6:35:25 PM by Cheryl

Just saw yoru blog first time. I am from Spfld area too. My twin lived there most of her lide until she died.. Annette Zahn, her in law is retired doctor Zahn there. You knwo them?
All my family in MO that area. Just saying Hey to Missourian! :)
BARB R

No—- I am not familiar with Dr. Zahn. I am sorry to hear of the passing of your twin sister. I don’t know any Zahn’s but Springfiels is rather a large town.